By Okechukwu Nnodim
NEXT
August 12, 2010 12:31AM
The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Renee Sanders, on Thursday, commended the efforts of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) towards ensuring air safety in the country.
Speaking to journalists in a joint conference in Lagos, Mrs Sanders lauded the federal government on the successfulcompletion of the United States Federal Aviation Authority assistance program in readiness for International Aviation Safety Assessment audit which is also a step necessary for acquiring the coveted Category One Status. The ambassador said that though there is still more to be done by way of improving certain elements of the aviation sector, it is important to celebrate the tremendous progress and success the government has made with making Nigerian air travel the safest it has ever been. “Although Nigeria has not obtained Category I Status yet, the progress to date continues to put Nigeria on the right path,” she said.
Progress made
Mrs Sanders congratulated the nation’s civil aviation regulatory agency for its inaugural issuance of an Air Operator Certification (AOC) to Arik Air, the country’s largest commercial carrier, adding that the United States was pleased by the progress so far achieved.
Explaining that additional air carrier options would expand the breath of Nigeria’s aviation market, Mrs. Sanders disclosed that the development would offer prices and services not offered currently. “This competition will create incentives for both the carriers and the consumers,” she said.
Harold Demuren, director general of NCAA, said that he was grateful for the support given by the Mrs Sanders-led team to the aviation industry and to Nigerians. He, however, said that the government is working towards eradicating any form of terrorism in Nigeria, an called for continued support from the United States. “We mean business on this,” he said. “The federal government has ordered for ten body scanners, our people have been trained. We have put in additional measures which makes secondary screening mandatory for our airlines. We are able to sign MOU for the Air Marshals and we can look at your (Mrs. Sanders) tenure in Nigeria as a major success and a big plus for Nigeria’s aviation.”
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US commends Nigeria for commitment to air safety
Written by Laolu Afolabi
Nigerian Tribune
Thursday, 12 August 2010
THE United States (US) government has commended the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on the successful completion of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assistance programme in preparation for the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) audit.
Giving the commendation on Wednesday, was the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Robin Sanders, while addressing a joint press conference in Lagos with the Director-General of the NCAA, Dr Harold Demuren.
Sanders said although there was still more to be done, by way of improving certain elements of the aviation sector, it was important to celebrate the progress and success, the Nigerian government had made in making air travel the safest it had ever been.
